Clock mechanism



May 16, 1933. A. L.. DENNlsToN CLOCK MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1929 Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADOLIH L. DENNISTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO STROMBERG ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE I CLOCK MECHANISM ppi-:cation inea April s,

My invention relates to corrective apparatus for secondary clock mechanisms.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide corrective apparatus for secondary clock mechanism which will periodically correct the secondary clock mechanism if it is not out of synchronism more than a certain amount. One of the types of corrective apparatus comprises my frequency impulse apparatus which periodically sends out a number of high frequency impulses which will advance any secondary clocks which may be slow and will bring them intosynchronism with the lmaster clock. if they are not slow o more than a predetermined amount.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide additional or supplemental corrective apparatus which will tend to bring into synchronism those secondary clock mechanisms which may have gotten out of synchronism an amount too great to be corrected by the primary corrective apparatus.

A further object is to provide an additional or supplemental corrective device which will cooperate with primary corrective apparatus of the high frequency impulse type tending to effect a correction of the secondary clock mechanism in the event it is out of synchronism an amount too great to be corrected by the high frequency impulse corrective apparatus.

A further object is to provide additional or supplemental corrective apparatus of the 5 type indicated above which will be of a differential type controlled differentially by the master clock movement and the impulses controlling the secondary clock mechanism.

Further objects will appear from the description and claims.

In the drawing in which my invention is shown- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View showing the master clock apparatus, the secondary 5 clock apparatus, the relay mechanism, and

the primary and supplemental corrective apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing an axial section of a differential apparatus used in the supplemental corrective apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing 1929. Serial N0. 352,'Q31.

he differential apparatus and control there- Referring to the drawing in detail, the construction shown therein comprises master clock apparatus, secondary clock apparatus, and apparatus whereby said secondary clock apparatus is kept in synchronism with said master clock and brought into synchronism therewith if it gets out of synchronism, comprising an impulse magnet 1 in the secondary clock for controlling movement of the secondary clock, a circuit breaker 2 in the circuit of said impulse magnet controlled by movement of the secondary clock for breaking the circuit of the impulse magnet during the sending of high frequency impulses hereinafter referred to, a polarized impulse magnet 3 in parallel with said 'first impulse magnet 1, an auxiliary circuit 4 for bridging around said circuit breaker 2 to reestablish the circuit for'said first impulse magnet 1 after the cessation of said high frequency impulses, a circuit breaker 5 in said auxiliary circuit 4 controlled by said polarized magnet 8 for breaking said auxiliary circuit 4 during the sending of said high frequency impulse, a make and break device 6 for the circuit for said impulse magnets 1 and 8, a pole changing apparatus 7 for controlling the direction of current in the circuit of said impulse magnets, whereby said auxiliary circuit 4 is made or broken depending on the direction of current, a relay magnet 8 for controlling said make and break device 6, contacts 9 controlled by the master clock for causing normalfrequency energization of said relay magnet 8 to cause normal frequency energization of said first impulse magnet 1 to cause normal operation of said secondary clock mechanism, contacts 10 for occasionally causing high frequency energization of said relay magnet to cause high frequency energization lof said first impulse magnet 1 to cause high speed movement of said secondary clock mechanism if the secondary clock is slow, contacts 11 controlled by the master clock for occasionally controlling the pole changing apparatus 7 to cause the polarized magnet to break the auxiliary circuit 4 at least during the period that the high frequency impulses are being sent to cause any one of said secondary clock mechanisms which is not behind the master clock to break the circuit of said lirst impulse magnet 1 to prevent the secondary clock mechanism from getting ahead of the master clock. contacts 12 cont-rolled by said master clock for determining the 'period during which high frequency impulses will be effective` a third impulse magnet 13 in parallel with the impulse magnet l controlled by said make and break device (3, differential means 14 controlled by the difference in movement between the master clock and said third impulse magnet 13, and contacts 15 controlled by said differential device for placing thel high frequency apparatus l in operative relation if the secondary clock mechanism is slow an amount too great to be corrected by the master clock controlled period of high frequency operation and for controlling the pole changing apparatus to break the auxiliary circuit during the period that said ditfcrent-ial means places the high frequency apparatus in operative relation.

The differential appa :'atus may be of any suitable type and, as shown, comprises a wheel 16 driven by the master clock, a ratchet wheel 17 driven by the operation of the magnet 13, a cam ring 1S for controlling the contacts and transmission both from the master clock controlled wheel 16 and from the magnet controlled wheel 17 acting on the cam ring 18 whereby this cam wheel is controlled differentially. rl`he transmission from the master clock controlled wheel 16 to the cam ring comprises a beveled gear 19 mounted en the hub Q0 on which the maste:l clock control wheel is mounted and a pair of beveled pinions 21 meshing with this beveled gear 19 and mounted between the cam ring 18, an equalizer member Q2 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft Q3 on which the wheels 16 and 17 are mounted. The transmission trom the magnet controlled ratchet wheel 17 to the cam ring conmrises they beveled pinions :2l referred to and a beveled gear 24 meshing with these pinions and mounted on the hub Q5 on which the ratchet wheel 17 is mounted.

The ratchet wheel is driven by means of a pawl 2G mounted on an oscillatable arm 27, the lower end of which is provided with an armature Q8 for coomuation with the magnet 13, a spring Q9 being provided for swinging the arm when the magnet is deenergized.

The pole-changing apparatus 7 may be of any usual or suitable construction and. as shown. comprises a pair ot contacts 3() and 31, both of which are connected with the makeaml-break device 6 and another pair of contacts 3Q and 33, both of which are connected with the line 34 leading to the secomlary mechanism and to the magnet 13, a pivotally mounted contact 35 alternatively engageable with the contacts aml 32 and connected with one terminal 3G of the source of current, another pivotally mounted contact 37 alternatively engageable with the contacts 3l and 32 and connected with the other terminal 3S of the source of current, and an'electromagnet 39 controlled by the switch 1l for controlling the position of the pivoted contacts` and 37. lVhen either switch 11 or the lower pair of' contacts 15 are closed, the magnet 7 is energized and the pivoted contacts 35 and 37 engage the contacts 32 and 31. lVhen the contacts l1 and 15 are open the magnet 7 is deenergizcd aml the pivoted contacts 35 and 37 engage the contacts 30 and 33. This, of course, reverses the power connections for the line leading to the secondary apparatus, including the polarized relay 3.

'lhe timing of the operation of the contacts 11 and 12 maybe varied to suit different requirements. but for the purpose of description and illustration it will be assumed that the contact 11 is operated to cause a reverse flow of current for the th to 59th lninute impulses. this reversed current being in a direction to cause the polarized relay 3 to open the contacts 5 during the 5 minute period rcferred to in which the contacts 11 are closed. Outside of this 5 minute period the contacts 5 are closed. It will be assumed also that the high frequency contacts l0 are operated to make contact every two seconds and that the contacts 12 are closed to make the operation of the contacts 10 effective for a period of 30 seconds between the 59th and 60th impulses of the minute contacts 9. lith this construction and disregarding for the present the operation of the differentially coutrolled cam. it will be seen that during the 30 second periods during which the fifteen relatively high frequency impulses are being Isent out by the contacts 10. any secondary clocks which are slow. not to exceed 15 minutes. will be brought up into synchronism with the master clock by the high frequency operation of the impulse magnets l and that the secondary clock mechanisms will disconnect themselves from the power liuc. as soon as they have been thus rapidly advanced to a point at which they are in synchronism with the master clock. by operation of the cams 40 controlled by the electromagnets 1. for opening the circuit breakers Q. lt will also be seen that any secondary mechanism that may be. ahead of the master clock` not to exceed 5 minutes. will be stopped and held back so as to be brought in .s vnchronism with the master clock because of the tact that the circuit breakers 5 are open for a five-minute period (which includes the 30 second period during which the high frequency impulses are sent out) so that the .secondary clocks will disconnect themselves from the power line immediately after the 59th minute, as indicated by the particular secondary clock mechanism in question.

It will be seen from an inspection of the circuits that the magnet 13 is energized every time the magnets 1 are energized. Consequently, if the current fails and the magnets 1 are not energized the magnet 13 also will not be energized and the cam wheel 18, instead of being held stationary by the ditlerential action of the wheels` 16 and 17, will begin to move co1mterclockwise because of the fact that the pawl-driven wheel 17 remains stationary while the clock-driven wheel 1G continues to move.

The cam shoulder 41 on the cam wheel 18 is so positioned and designed that 16 failures of the magnet 13 will bring the shoulder 41 to a position where the upper two contacts 15 are closed and the lower two contacts 15 are open. Continued failure of the magnet 13 will cause the cam wheel 18 to revolve still 'further counterclockwise, still mamtaming the upper two contacts 15 closed and the lower two contacts 15 open. This condition of the contacts 15 places the high frequency contacts 10 in the'eircuit and also breaks the current-reversal circuit, regardless of the position of contacts 11. As soon, therefore, as the current comes on, the high frequency contacts 10 will cause rapid frequency impulses to be sent out over the line. These high frequency impulses will continue to be sent out every two seconds until the cam shoulder 41 disengages the contacts 15, permitting them to open, thus cutting out the high frequency contacts 10 and closing the lower two contaets 15.

The sending out of these high frequency impulses will have the effect of speeding up the secondary clock mechanism at a rapid rate and bringing them up to within 15 minutes of the master clock time. This brings them within range of the normal corrective device so that when the next corrective period occurs and the 15 high frequency impulses are sent out the secondary clock mechanisms will be set up to the correct time indicated by the master clock and the cam wheel 18 will go back to the position shown in Fig. 1.

i While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it may be embodied in other forms covered and defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a secondary clock comprising an impulse magnet for controlling the secondary clock movement, a. relay, and relay circuit in which said secondary impulse magnet is connected, a master eloele comprising a time controlled contact device for normally controlling the relay to control the secondary magnet, and a corrective device comprising a high frequency time controlled contact device for occasionally controlling the relay to advance any secondary apparatus which may be slo\ as compared wit-l1 themaster clock, master clock controlled means for perimlically rendering the high frequency switch etl'ect-ive to control the relay, a polarized magnet in the relaycircuit,annlsterclock controlled means for periodically reversing the relay circuit conmctions and tlms reversing the connections for the polarized magnet, and means controlled in part b v the time of said secondary clock aml in part by said polarized magnet for occasonally rendering said sccomlary impulse magnet ineffective to advance tbe secondary clock mechanism and thereafter rendering said secondary impulse lmagnet ell'e-ctive to advance the secondary clock mechanism, of an additional corrective apparatus for correcting the secondary clock if it is slow an amount too great to be corrected by said corrective device.

2. The combination with a secondary clock comprising an impulse magnet for controlling the. secondary clock movement, a relay, and relay circuit in which said secondary impulse magnet is connected, a master clock comprising a time controlled contact device for normally controlling the relay to control the secondary magnet, and a corrective device comprising a high frequency time controlled contact device for occasionally controlling the relay to advance any secondary apparatus which may be slow as compared with the master clock, master clock controlled means for periodically rendering the high frequency switch effective to control the relay, a polarized magnet in the relay circuit, a ymaster clock controlled means for periodically reversing the relay circuit connections and thus reversing the connections for the polarized magnet, and means controlled in part by the time 0f said secondary clock and in part by said polarized magnet for occasionally rendering said secondary impulse magnet ineffective to advance the secondary clock mechanism and thereafter rendering said secondary impulse magnet effective to advance the secondary clock mechanism, of an additional corrective apparatus for correcting the secondary clock if it is slow an amount too great to be corrected by said corrective device, comprising apparatus controlled differentially in correspondence with the movement of the master clock and in correspondence with the movement of the secondary clock.

3. T he combination with a secondary clock comprising an impulse magnet for controlling the secondary clock movement, a relay, and relay circuit in which said secondary impulse magnet is connected, a master clock comprising a time-controlled contactA device for normally controlling the relay to Control the secondary magnet, and a corrective device comprising a high frequency time controlled contact device for occasionally controlling the relay to advance any secondary apparatus which may be slow as-compared with the master clock, master clock controlled means for periodically rendering the high fresuency switch effective to control the relay, a polarized magnet in the relay circuit, master clock controlled means for periodically reversing the relay circuit connections and thus reversing the connections for the polarized magnet and means controlled in part by the time of `said secondary clock and in part by said polarized magnet for occasionally rendering said secondary impulse magnet ineffective to advance the secondary clock mechanism and thereafter rendering said secondary impulse magnet cfl'ectivc to advance the secondary clock mechanism, of an additional corrective apparatus for correcting the secondary clock if it is slow an amount too great to be corrected by said corrective. device, comprising apparatus controlled differentially in correspondence with the movement of the master clock and in correspondence with the movement of the secondary clock, said differentially controlled apparatus exerting its corrective efl'ect through an agency of said high frequency impulse apparatus.

4. The combination with a secondary clock comprising an impulse magnet for controlling the secondary clock movement, a relay and relay circuit in which said secondary impulse magnet is connected, a master clock comprising a time-controlled contact device for normally controlling the relay to control the secondary magnet, and a corrective device comprising a high frequency time controlled contact device for occasionally controlling the relay to advance any secondary apparatus which may be slow as compared with the master clock, master clock controlled means for periodically rendering the high frequency switch effective to control the relay, a polarized magnet in the relay circuit, master clock controlled means for periodically reversing the relay circuit connections and thus reversing the connections for the polarized magnet, means controlled by the secondary clock for breaking the circuit of the secondary impulse magnet, and means controlled by said polarized magnet for thereafter reestablishing the circuit of the secondary impulse magnet, of an additional corrective apparatus for correcting the secondary clock if it is slow an amount too great to be corrected by said corrective device, comprising apparatus controlled differentially in correspondence with the movel'ncnt of the master clock and in corresl'iondence with the movement of the secondary clock.

5. The combination with a secondary clock comprising an impulse magnet for controlling the secondary clock movement, a relay and relay circuit in which said Secondary impulse magnet is connected, a master clock comprising a time-controlled contact device for normally controlling the relay to control the secondary magnet, and a corrective device comprising a high frequency time controlled contact device for occasionally controlling the relay to advance any secondary apparatus which may be slow as compared with the master clock, master clock controlled means for periodically rendering the high frequency switch effective to control the relay, a polarized magnet in the relay circuit, master clock controlled means for periodically reversing the relay circuit connections and thus reversing the connections for the polarized magnet, means controlled by the secondary clock for breaking the circuit of the secondary impulse magnet, and means controlled by said polarized magnet for thereafter reestablishing the circuit of the secondary impulse magnet, of an additional corrective apparatus for correcting the secondary clock 'if it is slow an amount too .great to be corrected by said corrective devlce, comprising apparatus controlled differentiall in correspondence with the movement of t e master clock and in correspondence with the movement of the secondary clock, said differentially controlled apparatus exerting its corrective effect through the agency of high frequency impulse apparatus.

6. Master clock apparatus, secondary clock apparatus, and apparatus whereby said sccondary clock apparatus is kept in synchromsm with said master clock and brought into s nchronism therewith if it gets outlof sync ronism, comprising an impulse magnet in the secondary clock for controlling movement of the secondary clock, a circuit breaker in the circuit of said impulse magnet controlled by movement of the Isecondary clock for breaking t'he circuit of the impulse magnet during the sending of high frequency impulses hereinafter referred to, a polarized impulse magnet in parallel with said first impulse magnet-` an auxiliary circuit for bridging around said circuit breaker to reestablish the circuit for said first impulse magnet after thcecessation of said high frequency impulse, aicircuit breaker in said auxiliary circuit controlled by said polarized magnet for breaking said auxiliary circuit during the sending of said high frequency impulse, a make and break device for the circuit for said impulse magnets, a pole changing apparatus for controlling the direction of current in the circuit of said impulse magnets, whereby said auxiliary circuit is made or broken depending on the direction of current, a relay magnet for controlling said make and break device, means controlled by the master clock for causing normal frequency energization ofsaid relay magnet to cause normal frequency energization of said first impulse magnet to cause normal operation of said secondary clock mechanism` means for occasionally causing high frequency energization of said relay magnet to cause high frequency encrgization of said first impulse magnet to cause high speed movement of said secondary clock mechanism if the sec= ondary clock is slow, means controlled by the master clock for occasionally controlling the pole changing apparatus to cause `the polarized magnet to break the auxiliary circuit at least during the period that the high i'requency impulses are being sent to cause any one of said secondary clock mechanisms which is not behind the master cloclr to brealr the circuit of said rst impulse magnet prevent the secondary clock mechanism qimm getting ahead of the master clock, means controlled by said master clock for determining the period during which high frequency impulses will be eiective, a third impulse mag-1 net controlled by said make and break de vice, dierential means controlled by the dii2- ference in movement between the master clock and said third impulse magnet, and means controlled by said differential device for placing the high frequency apparatus in operative relation if the secondary clock mecham nism is slow an amount too great to be corrected by the master clock controlled period of high frequency operation and for controlling the pole changing apparatus to break the auxiliary circuit during the period that said differential means places the high 'irequency apparatus in operative relationn In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

A. L. DENNISTN 

